Chapter 47: Dark Days Part III

Hey My Dearest Readers,

Hello People, Meeting you after a long time. Well I am doing good and I went offline for the UPSC Exams that happened on 3rd of June 2018. But now as I have some leisure time, I will keep on updating this story on regular interval as I used to do it. Please do read the next chapter and let me know your views on it. Adding to it, I will be publishing this story on Wattpad too, so if you are there please show your support there too. 

Love

NB

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Chapter 47: Dark Days Part III

“We will be doing everything to help her.” Reshma said sitting near Ram, accompanied by Jayesh and Ashok.

“I don't doubt your capabilities. But I want to take her to Delhi, where she will fit better around her own people.” Jayesh said.

“So aren't the people here her own?” Amarnath asked curtly. Without getting any response, he sighed and indicatively asked back about the reason of such cold reaction. Failing to get a response even this time, Amarnath knew it would be good to guess Shipra has filled Jayesh’s ears with the past indecent incident that took place a day earlier. “Look hit of the moment it happens and what she and Vishesh did to Vikram can't be accepted. Even apologies are not enough to be forgiven.” Amarnath added rudely.

“She has already thrown Vishesh out from his services, if I am not wrong.” Sudheer joined the conversations coming out to the balcony. “Like you were not aware of her past, she was also not aware of it. What do you think she has grown up with? To be non thankful to people who are important in her life? We have not put such lessons to her anytime and neither she was one such!” he defended her daughter.

“And if it is bothering Vikram or bothered him that particular moment why he is maintaining silence or why didn't he react that very moment?”Jayesh added after his friend. He looked to Vikram, who was looking straight to the floor. “Why don't you express your feelings with us?”

“Like Priya I also don't like to discuss my past.” Vikram replied.

“Even then when you are being charged falsely?” Jayesh asked.

“Yes.” Vikram answered.

“That is really not good Vikram.” Ashok joined the conversation. “Sometimes it is better to speak for good, even if it hurts us.”

“I prefer not to and you can't force me to.” Vikram replied curtly.

With Shipra coming out of the room, Ram stood up to leave for the room. “I must not leave Priya alone.” He walked inside the room. Closing the door behind, he looked towards Priya sleeping like a piece of crumbled paper with the visible scars of pathetic emotions running all over her face. The voices from the balcony indicated the arguments growing around them, pushing their future in more danger. He walked straight to the door and stopped. He wanted to stop the families from having some heated moments just then he heard a knock at the door. Managing to calm down his uneven breathes he pulled open the door to find Vehan in front. He looked back once but it didn't stop the people from getting into more intense arguments. “Let me in Mr. Kapoor I need to speak to you.”

Ram moved away from the door and allowed Vehan to step in. Ram came and sat by Priya after closing the door, his eyes remained fixed on the pale and drowned face of hers.

“I heard everything from Reshma and Ram she did the right thing by calming her down.” Vehan started the conversation, at least he tried. Failing to make Ram respond he shrieked cleared his throat and added more to his advice. “Ram, let her wake up; let her get into her own self and let us study how she behaves next.”

“Are you trying to make her a subject for experiments?” Ram looked straight and continued, “If you also have that in your mind, you can leave. I will do what ever I have to, to get her back.”

“Mr. Ram I am not projecting her as an object to experiment with. But mind is a typical place and it behaves differently. It is not like all other parts of our body that works indifferently our mind is a mysterious place and different for every individual. We have to study her and get the right path to get it back to her place. Trust me I am not going to hurt her.” Vehan tried to win his trust by pressing more to the last few words he used. Ram maintained his silence making it difficult for Vehan to read his mind. With every single second passing by, Vehan became impatient. He was about to speak again when Ram broke his silence.

“I am counting on you.” Ram left out a deep sigh before he continued again. “I am really counting on you. I want her back. I want her to be the same old girl I knew from my college days.”

Claiming victory over Ram’s trust Vehan knew he has conquered the half of the quest. Looking into the circumstances and conditions prevailing he was confident of getting Ram dance to his tunes too. Expressing none of his cunning status to the man seated opposite to him, Vehan kept a firm hand over Ram’s to assure him a safe procedure of treatment that will take place with all the precautionary measures. When nothing safe is going to happen little did Ram knew more danger waits ahead for Priya, him and their marriage.

In the middle of the chaotic emotions that made Ram numb for the moment he remained unaware of the people who were in the verge of announcing a war to claim the rights of deciding his and Priya’s future have left. To know their whereabouts and to get update about the girl he requested Vehan to ask Shrestha to come up. Nodding politely he left towards the main building.

Coming inside he sat down by Priya leaning back on the head rest, this time without any thoughts, caressing Priya’s head he gazed at the roof and tried to find a meaning in the meaningless abstract designs carved on there.

How long he was doing so was not known to him when he hard the knock. Looking down to his watch he learned almost 40 minutes passed away since He asked Vehan to inform Shrestha. Annoyed by her behaviour Ram opened the door and found Rishab in front instead. “Oh! That’s you.” The unhappiness in his voice was immediately absorbed by the visitor and he knew the reason.

“Shrestha is waiting downstairs. I asked her to wait.” Rishab started and added further. “I wanted to speak to you alone.”

“Come in.” Ram gave his brother the way.

“There is something about this Vehan.” Rishab started. “Riyah said she will share everything but in person and it will take at least one day and half for her to come here. You know bhai she is a junior doctor and that also posted in ICCU. So over a night she couldn’t manage a leave. But she will be here as soon as she gets permission to leave.”

“But what did she say about Vehan?” Ram asked adding more to it. “Is it something serious?”

“I don’t know but he was arrested few years ago in an organ scam but he was acquitted later and no one challenged the decision of the court so since then it was taken that he is clear.” Rishab said.

“What??” Ram said recalling the information passed on by Vishesh. The couple he met was also arrested and acquitted later. Co incidentally they run a private hospital too. He thought hard to distract himself from linking the two cases but he couldn’t. “Whe..when is Riyah arriving?” He asked.

“I told you Bhai it will take one day and half for her to come.” Rishab said again. “You know what kind of job she is into.”

“Hmm. I can understand.” Ram replied engulfed into deep thoughts. “I know. I know.” He repeated until he asked Rishab to leave and send Shrestha to him as soon as possible. The sense of urgency in his voice startled Rishab but he knew that was not the right time to argue. He left for the main building informing Shrestha about Ram’s wish.

Finding the door ajar Shrestha walked inside. Ram felt alarmed with her touch. Coming out of his thoughts he started the conversation. “I need your help.” He turned towards her. “Something is very wrong and I have no evidence to voice against it. Shrestha call Vishesh and ask him to get every details of Dr. Vehan please. ”

“I will surely do that Ram but why you are feeling so worried.” Shrestha tried to make him feel better.

“I am fine Shrestha. Please do what I asked you to do. Please. My sixth sense is alarming me about a worst situation approaching. This guy was also arrested and acquitted, and they were also. Is it a mere co-incidence or is it related? We have to find out. Please ask Vishesh to go deep into the matter as soon as possible.” Ram requested.

Heaving a deep sigh Shrestha tried to smile. She looked towards Priya once before she turned back to leave. Something bothered her. “Ram, what if something happens to this home? Where will we go?”

Ram looked back in deep shock and before his mind could chalk out the reason of her such thought the girl spoke again. “Please don’t let anything happen to this home. We see a new hope of life here every day. We don’t want our life to be the same again.”

“Nothing is going to happen, Shrestha.” Ram looked up trying to smile but his heart knew something is really wrong. Real hard time is ahead.

~~

“WHAT!!” Vishesh voice echoed through the room startling his men in front. “What do you mean by he was in his home?”

“Sir, we have thoroughly checked the CCTV footages and every entry and exit point. Our informers also have not fetched anything odd in Vikram Shergill’s movement. He went back to his home on time and he was seen to leave for office next day morning only.

“Did you get to know about his car?”

“He has two but none was of that brand which you gave details about.”

Vishesh leaned back on the chair engulfed in an eerie silence. Looking straight into no where, he was in deep thought trying to figure out the missing link. How he could be so wrong in his judgments, he thought. Digging deep into his logical thinking he tried to focus. Then a slight smile appeared at the corner of his lips. He heaved out a deep sigh. “Check with Neha Shergill’s name, there must be a car or two may be.”

“Sir, we did it but there is no other car that the Shergills own.”

This time lines appeared on his forehead. “But how can he be so clever? How was he doing all these?” Vishesh looked much worried. “This time we have a dangerous suspect in front and this time it is going to be more and more difficult for us to crack.” He looked down to the phone. Shrestha’s name floated on the screen. It made him more aware. Before taking the call, he instructed his men to leave.

“Yes Shrestha.” He answered the call.

“Sorry to bother you this time.” Shrestha continued, “Ram asked me to convey his message.”

“And that is?”

“He asked you to get every details of Vehan Ghani.”

“Dr. Ghani?”

“Yes.”

“But why?” Vishesh sounded pretty surprised.

“I don’t know. He just asked me to convey this to you after he had some conversation with Rishab.” She said.

“Rishab? But..” Vishesh sounded confused. He heaved a deep sigh and added. “I will get back to Mr. Kapoor tomorrow morning. If you get a chance to speak to him convey my message.”

“Right and Good Night.” Shrestha didn’t give chance to Vishesh to add any further to the conversation.

Vishesh was left confused with sudden and quick development. He thought himself to be on right track but it was different. Either he has made a mistake by suspecting Vikram or the later is too clever to be out played so easily.

~~

Next Morning, almost near to noon, after everyone has visited Priya was still sleeping under the influence of the medicines that her blood took into. Taking leave from the works and off course from the intruding Manik, Ram retired back to his room and looked surprisingly towards Priya. Not even in college days ever Priya slept for so long. It bothered him. Next what bothered him was Manik and his words.

Priya was in Lavasa that was not being updated to the police and that was Manik’s concern. He even threatened to arrest Priya if she does this same mistake again. When Ram tried to protect her raising the concerns about her health, Manik was so rude that he asked Ram to submit a report to him within 3 days from a Government Hospital. He refused Ram’s offer to see Priya, that also pretty loudly and curtly. The meeting ended in an awkward note when Manik even asked Jayesh to be in his limits. The heated argument between the two was playing in front of Ram’s eyes he heard a noise from his back. He turned to find Priya sitting on the bed astounded and looking for something.

“Priya.” Taking her name Ram approached her. “What are you looking for?”

“Watch..” Priya continued to hover her hands under the pillow to rumble the bed side table. “What’s the time?” She asked Ram continuing her quest for watch.

“11.40 am.” Ram answered.

“What??” That was Priya’s first reaction. “Shit!! Meera will be so upset with me.” She jumped out of the bed all at a once. With one hand on her hips and other on her forehead she turned to Ram and asked for her phone.

“Hmm..” Ram pulled out the phone from the drawer and hand it to Priya. “May I ask why Meera will be angry with you?” He asked.

“I had an important meeting today scheduled at 10 and I am late by one hour and forty minutes.” Priya said putting the phone on her ear.

Those words relieved Ram. He smiled to himself knowing Priya’s condition. She is still the same workaholic. He stepped back and walked to the open terrace. When he just took his seat on the garden chair decked on the terrace, he heard Priya to shout. Hurrying inside he saw Priya to continue the argument with Meera.

“What happened, Priya?” Ram sat holding her along the shoulder.

“Ram, ask Meera to stop joking. I said sorry to her but she is still continuing to joke with me. I know I over slept but she is frightening me with her words. Please tell her to stop.” Priya said under her sobbing as the phone fell from her hands.

Picking it up Ram asked Meera about the matter and was about to reveal her about the medicines she was under influence off. Meera’s words stuck him badly.

She started with, “What is happening Ram? Priya is one day back into time.” With no reply from Ram she continued, “ Priya called me apologising for not being punctual to attend the meeting that took place yesterday headed by her only.”

“What did you say?” He looked towards Priya sitting silent by his side. “Did you want to mean that today..” he again stopped and looked to his right. “I am not getting anything.”

“Ask her what’s the date? What she remembers about tomorrow and today’s appointments?” Meera waited but felt Ram seated silently without any kind of conversation. She added with a deep sigh, “Can you please put the phone on speaker Ram?”

“Yeah.. yeah..” Ram hurriedly followed what he was asked to.

“Priya.” Meera took her name softly. “Can you hear me dear?” She added. “Please tell us what is bothering you?”

“You and your lies are bothering me. Why the hell you are intimidating me by those weird comments?” Priya said under an uneven breathes. “Tell me.”

“I am not intimidating you. I just want to inform you there must be something that you are missing.” Meera tried to speak but was cut short by Priya.

“What did you want me to inform? That today there is no meeting?” she added more, “I remember clear about the meeting.”

“Yes you do. But that happened yesterday. You are missing it.” Meera said.

“Priya.” Ram held her between his strong arms. “What you did yesterday? What happened yesterday?”

Priya kept on looking into Ram’s eyes before she spoke out, “I… I.. Today is Sunday right?”

At first Ram felt the time has stopped for him, he fell short of words but managed to collect himself. Cupping his wife’s face he gulped air into his dry throat to acquire enough courage to declare the truth to her. “Priya, today is Monday.”

“What??” Priya almost snatched her self out from Ram’s arms and shouted again. “Are you …” she looked lost. Turning around she looked around, lost. She tried to speak but every thing seemed to dry up under her throat. Meera’s voice was still audible in the background. She was left lone unattended by the couple. While Priya gazed through the room to locate something in particular, Ram tried to get her attention towards him. Suddenly she paced up to the table and opened up the flap of her laptop and turned it on. It took less than a minute for the machine to come into life. Once it was her eyes went straight towards the corner of the screen. To be double sure she clicked on the icon and the clock showed up. The date and day beneath, it took her last slice of courage away. Pushing her into deep disbelief the reality suddenly became the most unwanted burden on her. Still she believed it was a dream, turning towards her husband she tried to express her worry. She tried to speak but voice somehow denied taking her commands. Her lips shivered but nothing came out. Tears bulged at the corners of her eyes. She looked back and pointed to the laptop, her throat dried out; pain made its way out through the unsaid tears. Feeling her own fragility she looked for an answer from Ram. With much hope she looked at him. He was the only hope left who could answer her. But he was feeling the same helplessness like her just in a different manner. With a little confidence left inside him, Ram stepped and guided Priya to the bed and made her sit. Knowing her fragility, he asked Meera to hung after promising her to call back soon with updates.

Soon he returned to Priya and knelt in front. Her eyes were lost in nowhere searching answers for her innumerable questions. He knew that. With his touch she looked at him like she was seeing him for the first time and with that sense of helplessness like a prey look at its predator just before it claims the life.

“Hey.” Knowing her state of mind he tried to make the things easy. “Nothing really happened. You are stressed, your brain needs rest that’s it. Just have a good sleep and you will see every thing will be at its place.” Ram beamed.

She looked up like she was asking if he can be trusted.

“Yes. Trust me.” He smiled again. “Lie down Priya. I am here by you.” Ram helped her to climb the bed and lay down. Pulling the duvet over her he started caressing her head and to his very astonishment he found Priya to drift into deep slumber soon. He found it little odd and at first decided to call the doctors who he entrusted Priya’s health with but on second thoughts he changed his mind and called Riyah. After closing the call with her, he called Manik. Making himself stronger he decided to disclose the details to the officer about Priya that he fetched from Ashok.

Back in Mumbai.

Vishesh was shocked by the developments. The news of Vikram of not having a car of the same specifications that he noticed that day bearing Rishab Kapoor’s car’s registration number and next thing bothered him about the incident from Vehan’s past that somehow left out from getting into his notice.

Just when he was about to sip to his tea, his phone rang with an unknown number.

“Yes.” He responded and remained in silence. “But how do you get my number?” There was again a long pause before he spoke again. “Ok I am coming. Be ready, send me your location, I will be there as soon as possible.”

Vishesh knew something grave is going to happen and he has to take step to protect Priya from it at any cost.

Picking up the car keys he looked down to the message he received and jumped into action.

Until we meet.

Love

NB